Aquila Airways

Aquila was founded by Barry Aikman, initially using two converted Royal Air Force Short Sunderland flying boats, ex-British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), for freight work.

[1] After the end of the Berlin Airlift, Aquila hoped to find work for their fleet on worldwide ad hoc passenger and freight charters, but this plan quickly proved unsuccessful.

Aquila obtained an association agreement with British European Airways (BEA) under which they were permitted to operate scheduled services from Southampton to Lisbon and Madeira.

In 1954 the British Aviation Services Group took control of Aquila Airways, the last commercial flying boat operator in the UK.

In 1956 an Aquila Airways flying boat was used to evacuate civilian Suez Canal Company personnel, together with their families, from the Great Bitter Lake to Southampton water, via Grand Harbour, Malta.

Aquila Airways Solent 3, G-AKNU, Sydney taking-off from Funchal .
Short Sunderland 3 G-AGER Hadfield served Aquila Airways from 1948 to 1956. Hamble Beach 1955
Aquila Airways Short Solent 4 G-ANAJ City of Funchal at Berth 50, Southampton Docks in 1955